John Russell “Jack” Morrin was born on March 3, 1915, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. He was the son of Francis Thomas "Frank" Morrin and Clara Agnes Whittle Morrin. He served in the 360th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot of B-17F #42-5788 nicknamed 'Pluto's Avenger' and also known as 'A.O.G. Not in Stock,' during World War II.

On February 22, 1944, during Mission #111 to Aschersleben, Germany, B-17F #42-5788 Pluto's Avenger was attacked by German fighters. The aircraft remained in a controlled shallow dive with its #4 engine smoking before crashing near Duffel, 15 km southwest of Antwerp, Belgium. Tragically, four crew members died and six others became prisoners of war, while Major George Weinbrenner evaded capture and returned to the UK in September 1944.

2Lt Morrin was captured and imprisoned at Stalag Luft I in Barth-Vogelsang, Prussia. After the war, he worked as a railroad engineer for 35 years, retired, and died of cancer on June 4, 1986. He is now buried in the Saint Mary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, Evergreen Park, Cook County, Illinois, USA.

Source of information: http://www.303rdbg.com/